It could be just a trust fund, either just enough to cover the bills, or he's secretly filthy rich.
"what is your major malfunction numbnuts?!!"

In the old episodes (before the first
Spongebob Movie
came out) I always assumed Patrick got some kind of disability or welfare check from Bikini Bottom that helped him stay afloat, no pun intended. He has one pair of pants, one TV, and we only occasionally see him buy things so it's not like Patrick's needs a lot of income anyway.
It could be Patrick's a squatter. Technically he's not living in a house, he's living under a literal rock full of furniture made from sand. Perhaps Patrick found a rock on the same street as his best friend Spongebob and somehow figured out to run electricity out of Squidward's house which negates the need for him to pay bills, although that doesn't explain how Patrick would pay for food.
It is possible that Patrick had a job(s) in the past, like when he briefly worked for the Chum Bucket and his living costs are low enough he doesn't worry about money or employment. As dumb as Patrick was, he was at least intelligent enough that he could live in modern society, such as how Patrick was able to very easily help Spongebob beat the driver's test in one try suggesting Patrick had a driver's license himself. Like in the episode where Spongebob forgot to tie his shoes, we see Patrick in the Krusty Krab eating a Krabby Patty which shows he at least knows how money and commerce works.
Then again, the new
Spongebob
episodes make Patrick seem as if he never knew sh!t about anything to begin with, like one episode where Patrick goes to the Krusty Krab because he's starving and forgets where to get food, so he eats a bunch of Krabby Patties and forgets both what money is and that he needs to pay for food. They also had another episode where Patrick acts as if he never took the driver's test before, and when he takes the test after seeing Spongebob sad at failing again, Patrick surprisingly passes and gets his license, suggesting that Patrick had never taken the test before and didn't think he'd pass.
Either some of these new
Spongebob
episodes take place before the earlier episodes, or they're happy with screwing up what we already thought we knew about somewhat simple characters on a kids' show.
Can't be too careful with all those weirdos running around.

Did you not know that patrick is secret illuminati and that he gets an undisclosed amount from them at an undisclosed interval and that his unemployment is just a ruse GAH Geez How is that NOT APPARENT from watchin any or all episodes!!! GAH!I mean it's like if illuminati equal one and patrick equals 0 then you have ten which proves everything. What is that everything being proven.?. Ancient Aliens are Star FISH. Focus on the fish for a second because this is where it gets real. Fish is spelled with four letters illuminati is spelled with ten letters what does that equal.. a big TEN-FOUR..uh ever heard that phrase before??? thank you for reading

he's gotta be disable & gets warfare that way.

THANK YOU! that's the point everyone including me was trying to make you deserve a reward!

It's a kid's show, dude.don't overthink it.

He obviously lives in Obama's socialist welfare state.

He probably gets economic support by the government for having some kind of mental illness. Doesn't need to work when he just makes matters worse, like when he worked at Krusty Krabs: Ate everything, answered the phone in the wrong way, scrubs the floor with the wrong side of the mop, etc. He's gotten a lot worse in the newer episodes. He baths Gary with a firethrower, doesn't care when people get hurt and always have this "sarcastic" face instead of his usual happy one.
It's actually hard to answer. We don't know if the inhabitants of Bikini Bottom pay taxes, rent, communal expenses, customs or whatever. The show isn't THAT deep. But this raises some more questions:

• Do Spongebob pay for his boat schooling!?
• How can Spongebob pay for anything with his debt? Mr. Krabs have several times told him "this will be deducted from your salary". Crushed the restaurant, brought boots/fashion items from Krabs, etc.

I've been wondering the same thing the other day.
Nice 2 laugh, but don't be the joke.

Patrick is a drain on the Bikini Bottom economy.

Only when the plot demands it.
I would always rather be happy than dignified.

(in a good tone of voice, good way):shut up Rweber108. WE all know that. Its just a fun guessing game. I personally think he has welfare and is autistic like me. That's my answer.
Don't take what people are saying so seriously! It's all in good fun
Answer: bigdirtracingfan is simple, As an autistic Caucasian 22 yr old male, I kinda get that way.
I'm going to assume that Patrick's seeming idiocy is actually a clever facade to evade working. Fooling the government, he is granted disability payment and gets an undisclosed amount of funds to afford everyday necessities.
by swimboy818-671-821618: now that's what I am talkin' bout good job.
It's just a cartoon, dude. by: kade5233
Query/answer: I know its just a game cool down take a chill pill would ya please?
Thanks for everyone's responses. Enjoy your day. Good-bye!

Don't take what people are saying so seriously! It's all in good fun

you idiot it is a cartoon my god whats all the fighting about i agree but if you make fun of him you make fun of me i I AM AUTISTIC!

Shut up trash mouth

thanks! i'll take a cookie.

Sshhh It's okay. Calm down. Just people having fun speculating, okay. Have a cookie

Government Assistance? Are you people effing serious? Pay attention now: It. Is. A. CARTOON. A children's cartoon. You have to suspend belief. How is there a beach under the sea? How does a crab have a whale for a daughter? How does a computerized "wife" operate in salt water? It's a beep cartoon. That's the answer. To all of it. It's a cartoon.
Wow, seriously?

He's not just a fry cook. He's the only cook of his restaurant and his restaurant is the most successful in town.

Maybe Patrick cuts off an arm and donates it to science?

This message has been deleted.

Yeah he's the Cosmo Kramer of Bikini Bottom. The inner mechanisms of his mind are an enigma

He is like Kramer from Seinfeld.
Can I refill your eggnog,get u something to eat,drive u out 2 the middle of nowhere leave u 4 dead?

He's on welfare, duh.